Massaging chair

ABSTRACT

Two vibrators are mounted on opposite sides of a chair frame below the seat so that the path lengths of the waves traveling through the chair from the vibrators are equal in both directions in a closed path. There are two controls for the vibrator motors, one control regulating the amount of massaging action by controlling the speed of both the vibrators, while the other control regulates the speed and direction of massaging action by controlling the differential speed between the two vibrator motors.

United States Patent [151 3,653,375 Raffel 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] MASSAGINGCHAIR 3,547,109 12/1970 Martin ..128/33 [72] Inventor: Marvin J. Raffel,135 W. lndian Creek Primary Examiner L pp Court Mflwaukee 53217Attorney-Arthur L. Morsell, Jr. and Curtis B. Morsell, Jr. [22] Filed:Oct. 30, 1970 B T 21 Appl. No.: 85,598 [57] A s RACT Two vibrators aremounted on opposite sides of a chair frame below the seat so that thepath lengths of the waves traveling [52] IU.S.((:Ill through the chairfrom the vibrators a equal in both 2; d 4 2 324,6 directions in a closedpath. There are two controls for the I 1 o are Y vibrator motors, onecontrol regulating the amount of massaging action by controlling thespeed of both the vibrators, while I 56] References Cited the othercontrol regulates the speed and direction of massag- UNITED STATESPATENTS ing action by controlling the differential speed between the twovibrator motors. 3,019,785 2/1962 Eiden ..l28/33 3,050,051 8/1962 Moxley..l28/33 ll Claims,6 Drawing Figures f l W (a) l (c) l/ 7 Patented April4, 1972 3,653,375

M I N /2 g (Q l 7 g I j ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention The present invention is useful in furniture, and isparticularly suitable for use in reclining chairs to provide massagingwaves for the occupant of the chair.

2. Description of the Prior Art l-leretofore there have been vibratingchairs such as those disclosed in the Blake U.S. Pat. No. 2,715,901, theOetinger U.S. pat. No. 2,937,641, and in the Leach U.S. Pat. No. Re.24,487 relating to a couch. In these constructions the vibrating motorshave been located in particular places on the chair or couch to afiect aparticular portion of the body. Two vibrating motors have not beenpositioned on opposite sides of a chair frame portion in such a mannerthat the path lengths of the waves from the plural vibrators are equalin both directions in a closed path of travel formed by solid members.Nor has there been a dual control system for plural vibrating motorswherein one control regulatesthe amount of massaging action bycontrolling the speed of two vibrator motors while the other controlregulates the differential speed between the two vibrator motors tothereby control the speed and direction of the interference massagingwaves in a surrounding path around a center.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides controlledrotary massaging action on the body of the user. This is accomplishedthrough the use of controlled interference waves that are caused by twoout-of-phase vibrator motors mounted on opposite sides of a surroundingframe path formed of solid members to which all parts of the chair areconnected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a two control system forthe above whereby one control regulates the amount of massaging actiongenerated by both vibrator motors, and the other control regulates thespeed and direction of the rotary interference wave massaging action bycontrolling the differential speed between the two vibrator motors.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a chair or the like,novel positioning of two vibrators on a single surrounding frame portionof solid material or on two interconnecting frame portions properlyarranged and balanced to obtain maximum effective interference wavestraveling in a closed path around the center of the chair, the massagingwaves being transmitted to the person sitting in the chair by thesag-resistant springs which are stretched across the frame, and by otherframe members that come in direct contact with the body through paddingon the chair, so that the entire body of the occupant receives thestimulating and relaxing effect of the massaging waves.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved vibratingchair which is relatively simple to manufacture, which does not affectthe normal appearance of the chair, which produces beneficial andpleasing massaging action, and which is otherwise well adapted for thepurposes described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, in whichthe same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of theviews:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair, part being broken away to showone of the vibrating motors;

FIG. 2 is a view looking up from underneath one type of chair to showthe position of the vibrator motors on a surrounding frame portion forone type of chair;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking principally at the bottom of areclining chair to show the position of the vibrator motors oninterconnecting frame portions;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a preferred electrical circuitutilizing plural speed vibrator motors;

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing a modified circuit wherein there aremotors with untapped field coils, and wherein both of the controls arerheostats; and

FIG. 6 is a similar diagrammatic view showing still another modificationwherein the vibrator motors are standard three speed motors, and whereinthe speed control for the motors is a switch, and wherein thedifferential speed control is a rheostat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ever, in certain instances suchframe may be metal'or part wood and part metal, but the frame elements,forming the surrounding path shown by the arrows in FIGS. 2 or 3, areformed of rigid material as distinguished from flexible material. Whilethe invention is particularly suitable for use in chairs, it isnevertheless useful in other articles of furniture such as couches,beds, mattresses, or the like, it being only important that there be asurrounding frame portion of rigid material such as the frame portion 12of FIG. 2, or l2'-52 of FIG. 3, which may be either square, rectangular,or anyother shape, as long as it forms a surrounding path forvibrations. The effect may also be produced by the use of interconnectedframe portions as will be hereinafter discussed in connection with FIG.3.

In accordance with the present invention, vibrating motors 13 and 14 aremounted on the closed frame path 12 so as to be directly opposite oneanother, whereby the vibration path (a) is equal in length to thevibration path (b). These motors are conventional vibrator motors havingtheir shafts connected to eccentric weights 8 and 9, respectively. Theyare preferably AC-DC induction motors, and the motors are firmly clampedor otherwise attached to the frame portions 12 to impart vibrationthereto. The purpose of this arrangement is to obtain maximum effectiveinterference waves from the vibrating motors which travel in asurrounding path around a center, such as the center (c) of the chairframe 12. With this arrangement the two vibrators work together toaffect all parts of the chair, as distinguished from prior artconstructions wherein each vibrator is located to have its principalaffect on a certain section of the chair and hence on a certain portionof the body of the occupant.

FIG. 3 illustrates the application of the invention to a certain type ofreclining chair 50 which has arm portions 51, a base frame 12 whichcorresponds to the frame 12 of FIG. 2, and a seat frame 52 which ispositioned upwardly from the base frame 12. The seat frame is pivoted asat 53 to the forward ends of metal arms 54. The inner or rear ends ofsaid arms are pivoted as at 55 to the base frame 12 or to rigidconnections therewith. Suitably connected to the seat frame is a backframe 56. Sag-resistant springs, such as the sinusoidal springs 57illustrated, extend longitudinally of the back frame, and similarsprings 58 are stretched from the front to the back of the seat frame.In this type of frame there is also usually a foot rest (not shown)which is suitably connected to the lower frame. In this type ofreclining chair it is preferred to maintain the surrounding path by theuse of two interconnecting frames 12' and 52. Therefore, the vibratormotor 14 which corresponds to the motor 14 of FIG. 2 is connected to theframe 12 similar to the motor 14 of FIG. 2. The other motor 13 whichcorresponds to the motor 13 of FIG. 2 is, however, connected to the rearportion of the seat frame 52, preferably to the underside thereof. Thiscreates the same effect as is illustrated in FIG. 2 inasmuch as themassaging waves will travel as shown by arrows in FIG. 3 from the solidframe 52 through the solid metal hinge connections 54 into the lowerframe 12'. Thus a closed or surrounding path through solid members isstill provided, the massaging waves being transmitted to the occupant ofthe chair both by the springs 57 and S8 and by other frame members whichcome in direct contact with the body of the occupant through the surfacepadding on the chair so that the entire body receives the stimulatingand relaxing affects of the massaging waves.

In the present invention two controls are employed, one controlregulating the amount of massaging action by controlling the speed ofboth vibrator motors 13 and 14, while the other control regulates thespeed and direction of the massaging action by controlling thedifferential speed between the motors 13 and 14 in such 'a way thatinterference frequency waves are produced.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the switch 15, designated a common switch, is afour-position switch for the purpose of controlling the amount ofmassaging action by regulating the speed of both motors 13 and 14. Onewire 16 leading from a source of current connects with the central pole17 of the switch 15. The switch has an off position 18 and speedpositions 1, 2 and 3. These are connected by wires 19, 20 and 21 withtaps 22, 23and 24 of the field coil 25 of the motor. The other end ofthe field coil is connected with the wire 26- connecting with the otherside of the source of electricity. The electric wire 19 is connected bya wire 27, through a four-wire jack and plug set 28, with a tap 29 onthe field coil 30 of the other motor 14. The electric wire 20 isconnected by conduit 31 with a tap 32 of the field coil 30, and electricwire 21 is connected by a wire 33 with the tap 34 of the field coil 30for the motor 14.

The field coil of the motor 13 is a standard coil for a threespeedmotor. The field coil 30 for the motor 14 has three more taps at theother end in addition to the taps 29, 32 and 34. A differential speedswitch 35 is similar to the switch 15. Its central pole 36 is connectedby an electric conduit 37 with the source wire. The terminal 38 is inoff position and there are other positions 1a, 1b and 10. These areconnected by electric conduits 39, 40 and 41 with the three extra taps42a, 42b and 42c.

With the above arrangement, assuming that common switch 15 is set asillustrated in FIG. 4, to complete the circuit to terminal l for minimumspeed this will, of course, cause the motor 13 to operate at its minimumspeed. At the same time, due to the connection provided by the electricwire 27 with the top of the coil 30 for the motor 14, the latter will beoperated at its minimum speed as far as switch 15 is concerned. Byswitching the switch lever for the switch 15 to contact 2, both motorswill be operated at an increased speed, and by switching to terminal 3the speed of both motors will be still further increased. Thus theamount of massaging action is regulated by controlling the speed of bothvibrators simultaneously.

Through use of the differential switch 35 and a properly wired andtapped coil 30, if the switch lever is set to contact terminal la ofswitch 35 the speed of the motor 14 will be increased, for example, by100 rpm. over the speed of the motor 13. If the switch 35 is set toengage terminal lb as illustrated, the speed of the motor 14 will bedecreased a small amount, such as 30 r.p.m. under the speed of motor 13,and by regulating the switch 35 to contact terminal (c) of the switchthe speed of the motor 14 will be decreased, such as 100 r.p.m., underthe speed of motor 13. Thus the switch 35 regulates the speed anddirection of the massaging action by controlling the differential speedbetween the motors 13 and 14 in such a way that interference frequencywaves are controlled.

The switches 15 and 35 may, of course, have more or less than the fourpositions illustrated and described, depending upon the number of motorspeeds desired.

In the form of the invention of FIG. 5 the motors 113 and 114 both haveuntapped field coils. However, motor 114 is modified so that it runs atleast 100 rpm. faster than motor 113 when the rheostats 115 and 135 arein a position for zero resistance. In this form of the invention therheostat 115 serves the same function as the switch 15, i.e. to controlthe amount of massaging action by regulating the speed of both vibratormotors 113 and 114. Here the rheostat finger is connected by electricwire 116 with one side of the source and the resistance coil of therheostat is connected by the wire 119 with the field coil 125 for themotor 113. The electric wire 119 is also connected by wire 127 with thefield coil 130 for the motor 1 14. The other end of the coil isconnected by wire 139 with the movable contact finger of the rheostat,the coil of the rheostat being connected by electric wire 126 with theother side of the source of current, and there being a wire 150connecting the other end of the field coil 125 with the source wire 126.

With the arrangement of FIG. 5 the rheostat 115 controls the speed ofboth motors 113 and 114 and the rheostat 135 controls the speed of motor114 only so that it, in effect, controls the differential speed betweenthe two motors 113 and l 14.

In the modification of FIG. 6 the motor 213 corresponds to the motor 13of FIG. 2 or 13 of FIG. 3, and all of the wiring for the motor 213 isthe same as heretofore described in connection with FIG. 4. The variousparts will, therefore, be designated by the same numerals preceded bythe digit 2. Motor 214, instead of being a three-speed motor with threeextra taps as in FIG. 4, is a standard three-speed motor, the same asmotor 213. The wire 233 connects with the first tap of the motor 214.The line 231 connects with the second tap, and the line 227 with thethird tap. Thus the switch 215 controls the speed of both motors. Therheostat 235, however, has its coil connected by wire 226 with thesource of current and has its movable finger connected by wire 239 withthe lower end of the field coil 230 for the motor 214. Thus the rheostatcontrols the speed of only the motor 214 and, hence, the differentialspeed between the motors 213 and 214. The circuits of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,therefore, merely show three different ways of accomplishing the samenet result.

When a person is sitting in the chair 10 or 50, the interference wavesfrom motor 14 or 14 and 13 or 13, operating out of phase, travel aroundthe frame as shown by the arrows (a) and (b) in frame 12 or l2'52 incombination, which frames are all comprised of structural elementsformed of rigid material as distinguished from flexible material. Thusthe two vibrators either 13 and 14 or 13' and 14 work together to createa predetermined effect on all portions of the chair, producing asensation of traveling waves of vibration. By use of the controls 15, or215 the speed of both motors may be increased or decreased as desired toregulate the amount of massaging action. By manipulating the controls35, or 235 the differential speed between the two motors may becontrolled so that the vibrators produce vibrations of differentfrequencies, which frequencies combine to produce interference waveswhich result in an apparent motion of the lines of massage. When twomotors are operating at identical speed there is little effect of movinglines of massage. When, how ever, the controls 35, 135 or 235 areoperated to produce different speeds between the two motors, then theeffect of motion is produced by the lines of vibration traveling in theclosed path (b) of the frame portion 12 in FIG. 2 for example. Withpredetermined settings for the controls 35, 135 or 235 the direction ofthe waves may be reversed by reversing the relative speeds of the twomotors.

For example, if the pointer switch 35 of FIG. 4 is at position 10, whichwould be the fastest position for motor 14, then motor 14 is operatingfaster than motor 13 because of differences in the number of turns inthe field coils of the two motors or because of variations in the gaugeof the wire which is used in the field coils, or due to any otherconventional change which affects the normal speed. When the switch 35is in position 1b, this produces a speed for motor 14 which is slowerthan the speed of motor 13, and when this occurs this reverses thedirection of the massaging waves from the direction shown by the arrowsin FIG. 2. When the switch is at position 1c, the motor 14 is operatedat a still slower speed with respect to motor 13 which increases thedifferential and, therefore, increases the frequency of the interferencewaves, the latter being proportional to the differential speed.

In FIG. 5, when the rheostat 135 is at 0 resistance the motor 114 willbe running faster than the motor 113 because the motor 114 has fewerturns in its field coil or is otherwise varied to produce this result.As the rheostat 135 is moved, it will gradually reduce the speed of themotor 114 until it matches the speed of the motor 113. Further movementin the same direction of the switch will then cause the motor 114 tooperate at a slower speed than the motor 113, at which point theinterference massaging waves will be reversed from the direction shownby the arrows in FIG. 2.

Likewise, in FIG. 6, when rheostat 235 is at 0 resistance the motor 214runs faster than motor 213 because it has fewer turns in its field coilor has been otherwise modified to produce this result.

As a result of the above construction, wherein moving waves of vibrationare created by controlling the differential speed between the twovibrators, an effect more like a body massage is created which is moresoothing and relaxing to the body of the occupant.

In the claims the word rigid as used in connection with the frameportion 12, or 12'-52 in combination, denotes that the frame portionscomprise elements formed of rigidmaterial as distinguished from flexiblematerial, and the term frame portion contemplates either a frame asshown in FIG. 2 or a frame portion comprising part of each of aplurality of interconnected frames as in FIG. 3.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exactdetails of construction shown and described, for obvious modificationswill occur to a person skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In an article of furniture having a frame portion whose there aresag-resistant springs interconnecting opposite parts of said frameportion.

3. An article of furniture as claimed in claim I in which there is alsomeans for regulating the amount of massaging action by simultaneouslycontrolling the speed of both motors.

4. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the electriccircuit is a common circuit for the two motors, and in which thecontrolling means is in said common circuit.

5. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3 in which the electriccircuit is a common circuit for the two motors, and in which bothcontrolling means are in said common circuit.

6. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the article offurniture is a chair, and in which the frame portion is a rectangularframe portion at least part of which is a part of the base of the chair.

7. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 6 in which there aresag-resistant springs interconnecting opposite parts of said frameportion.

8. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which each vibratormotor is a multi-speed motor having a field coil with optional taps, inwhich the field coil of one of the motors has elements are formed ofrigid material and are arranged to provide a closed path surrounding aportion of the article, two electric motor-operated vibrators mountedopposite one another on said frame portion, electric circuit means forthe motors of said vibrators, a source of current, and means forcontrolling the differential speed between the two motors to therebycontrol the speed and direction of the interference waves in said closedpath formed by the frame portion whereby a massaging action is produced.

2. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which extra taps forproducing speeds which are optionally greater than or less than thespeed of the first motor, and in which the means for controlling thedifferential speed between the two motors comprises a switch forcontrolling the tap selection of said last-mentioned motor.

9. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3 in which both motorsare multi-speed motors with optional taps, and in which the means forregulating the massaging action is a common switch for selectingcorresponding taps of the two motors to simultaneously control the speedof both motors.

10. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the means forcontrolling the speed and direction of massaging action by controllingthe differential speed between the two motors includes a rheostat for atleast one of said motors.

11. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the V twomotors are multi-speed motors, in which there is a common switch forsimultaneously controlling the speed of both motors, and in which thereis a rheostat for controlling the speed of one of the motors only.

1. In an article of furniture having a frame portion whose elements areformed of rigid material and are arranged to provide a closed pathsurrounding a portion of the article, two electric motor-operatedvibrators mounted opposite one another on said frame portion, electriccircuit means for the motors of said vibrators, a source of current, andmeans for controlling the differential speed between the two motors tothereby control the speed and direction of the interference waveS insaid closed path formed by the frame portion whereby a massaging actionis produced.
 2. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in whichthere are sag-resistant springs interconnecting opposite parts of saidframe portion.
 3. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in whichthere is also means for regulating the amount of massaging action bysimultaneously controlling the speed of both motors.
 4. An article offurniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the electric circuit is acommon circuit for the two motors, and in which the controlling means isin said common circuit.
 5. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3in which the electric circuit is a common circuit for the two motors,and in which both controlling means are in said common circuit.
 6. Anarticle of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the article offurniture is a chair, and in which the frame portion is a rectangularframe portion at least part of which is a part of the base of the chair.7. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 6 in which there aresag-resistant springs interconnecting opposite parts of said frameportion.
 8. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 in which eachvibrator motor is a multi-speed motor having a field coil with optionaltaps, in which the field coil of one of the motors has extra taps forproducing speeds which are optionally greater than or less than thespeed of the first motor, and in which the means for controlling thedifferential speed between the two motors comprises a switch forcontrolling the tap selection of said last-mentioned motor.
 9. Anarticle of furniture as claimed in claim 3 in which both motors aremulti-speed motors with optional taps, and in which the means forregulating the massaging action is a common switch for selectingcorresponding taps of the two motors to simultaneously control the speedof both motors.
 10. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 inwhich the means for controlling the speed and direction of massagingaction by controlling the differential speed between the two motorsincludes a rheostat for at least one of said motors.
 11. An article offurniture as claimed in claim 1 in which the two motors are multi-speedmotors, in which there is a common switch for simultaneously controllingthe speed of both motors, and in which there is a rheostat forcontrolling the speed of one of the motors only.